Man, 24, indicted in 2007 stabbing death

A 24-year-old man was indicted Monday in the killing of another man in July 2007.

Daniel Wilkinson is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Stephen Richardson.

Richardson's body was found July 6, 2007, in his apartment at Barrington Apartments in the 600 block of South Moody Road in Palatka.

His body was found after his mother contacted the Palatka Police Department to do a welfare check becauseshe had not heard from him since the previous day.

Police said their investigation revealed that Richardson had been stabbed multiple times. They said although Wilkinson has been a person of interest from the beginning, the investigation into the homicide has continued for the last five and a half years with detectives constantly searching for new evidence.

Extensive interviews of known acquaintances, neighbors and co-workers of both men have taken place over that time, police said. They said that eventually evidence was found indicating that an altercation had taken place between Wilkinson and Richardson that resulted in Richardson's death.

Detectives traveled to Suwanee Correctional Institute in Live Oak on Tuesday to make contact with Wilkinson, notifying him of the indictment and murder warrant against him.

"I am very pleased with the work of our staff and the assistance provided by the state attorney's office," said Police Chief Gary Getchell. "Our detectives have worked tirelessly on this case since the beginning. The closing of this event will hopefully provide closure for the family of Mr. Richardson."

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